Storms Pound Parts of SE Minnesota

Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - The National Weather Service says two lines of thunderstorms moved across southeast Minnesota Saturday and some of the storm cells produced very strong winds that caused scattered damage.

Trees were reported down in Austin and Lanesboro and more than two inches of rain fell in Whitewater State Park, leading to minor flooding. Hail was also reported in some areas.

The NWS says strong winds produced quite a bit of damage in parts of Mower, Olmsted, and Fillmore Counties, “including damaging crops, snapped trees, and a wind gust of 69 mph at the Rochester International Airport.” A 70-mph gust was reported in St Charles.

Rainfall totals across the region varied, with only a quarter inch in some parts of Olmsted County to 2.64 inches in Whitewater State Park. Rochester’s total recorded at the airport was nearly an inch.

Temperatures rose into the upper 80s before the storms arrived. Another round of warm weather is expected most of this week with highs returning to the upper 80s Monday - Thursday.